Super Bowl 2023 week kicks off with Opening Night at Footprint Center

Staff/Cronkite News
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Footprint Center welcomed the Super Bowl contenders and fans Monday for a night of interviews, entertainment and the flat-out bizarre. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes share the stage Monday during Opening Night at Footprint Center. Super Bowl Sunday will feature two starting Black quarterbacks for the first time in history. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes received a loud ovation from fans in attendance at Opening Night. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts looks to end his MVP-caliber season by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, left, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce plan to put their brotherly love aside on Super Bowl Sunday. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes takes the podium Monday during Opening Night at Footprint Center. The MVP candidate is searching for the second Super Bowl win of his career. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Margaret T. Hance Park is home to a portion of the Super Bowl LVII Experience. Signage at the park promotes the big game and events surrounding it. (Photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

Larry Fitzgerald, executive chair of the Super Bowl Host Committee, reflected on the differences of prepping for a Super Bowl as a businessman as opposed to a player: “I got a chance to see how the sausage is made.” (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, Gov. Katie Hobbs and former Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald attend Monday’s press conference. (Photo by Spencer Gustafson/Cronkite News)

From jewelry covered Super Bowl 57 footballs to Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis wearing a medallion, Monday’s ‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ turned out to be a flashy affair. (Photo by Spencer Gustafson/Cronkite News)

Governor Katie Hobbs said she’s “confident that we are fully prepared to handle the over 100,000 visitors expected this week” at Monday’s Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ press conference. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill on sports betting: “That’s something our younger fans are interested in. And it’s exciting.” (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

PHOENIX – For the first time since 2015, Arizona will play host to the Super Bowl. The privilege comes with plenty of must-see live entertainment; tailgates; festivals; and, of course, football in the lead-up to the big game at State Farm Stadium.

Follow along for live updates, featuring news, event highlights and more from the Cronkite News team, before the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs kick off on Super Bowl Sunday.

Read more:

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes


Eagles running back Miles Sanders

Eagles running back Miles Sanders was asked what he would say to his 12 year-old self if he could see him at the Super Bowl. This was his response:

NFL x MMA?

UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley is in the mix at Opening Night, where the Chiefs and Eagles take centerstage to open Super Bowl week at Footprint Center. On Saturday, UFC president Dana White announced O’Malley signed a new eight-fight deal to remain with the promotion, so it’s doubtful we will see him on the gridiron anytime soon.

(Photo by Cronkite News Staff)

(Photo by Cronkite News Staff)

Philadelphia Eagles’ Fletcher Cox shares Super Bowl pregame plans

Veteran defensive lineman Fletcher Cox has played in the NFL for 11 seasons, and at this point his pregame routine is rock solid. No music allowed.

“As soon as I get in the locker room, I put my headphones in my backpack because I want to hear and feel what’s going on around me,” he said Monday.

Opening Night, where anything happens

The Super Bowl players are the stars of the show, but there’s no telling what else you might see …

(Photo by Cronkite News Staff)

(Photo by Cronkite News Staff)

Sounds of Opening Night

Philadelphia Eagles GM looks back at the controversial Jalen Hurts pick

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman looks back at the organization’s decision to draft MVP candidate Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. Hurts is 25-11 as an NFL starter.

“You can’t really judge a quarterback until you surround him with pieces.”

Jordan Mailata on his experience on the masked singer

Mailata was a contestant on the 7th season of the hit TV series, where he was secretly the character, “Thingamabob” and revealed his identity in the third episode.

Fans out in full force at Footprint Center

The lower bowl at Footprint Center is packed with fans of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles fans are loudest, but the Chiefs players and coaches haven’t stepped to the podium yet.


Swoop-ing in

Swoop, the Eagles’ mascot, joins the media scrum during Opening Night at Footprint Center.


Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts takes center of attention at Opening Night


Super Bowl Bling

From jewelry covered Super Bowl 57 footballs to Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis wearing a medallion, Monday's ‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ turned out to be a flashy affair. (Photo by Zach Woodard/Cronkite News)

From jewelry covered Super Bowl 57 footballs to Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis wearing a medallion, Monday’s ‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ turned out to be a flashy affair. (Photo by Zach Woodard/Cronkite News)

From jewelry covered Super Bowl 57 footballs to Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis wearing a medallion, Monday’s ‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ turned out to be a flashy affair.

‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ speaker highlights





VIP in attendance at ‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ press conference

NFL executives and the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee will welcome fans to the region and share what to expect at the events leading up to Super Bowl 57. (Photo by Spencer Gustafson/Cronkite News)

NFL executives and the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee will welcome fans to the region and share what to expect at the events leading up to Super Bowl 57. (Photo by Spencer Gustafson/Cronkite News)

‘Welcome to the Super Bowl Experience’ press conference kicks off


– Reporting by Spencer Gustafson

Kansas City Chiefs activate RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was activated from injured reserve on Monday, the team announced. Edwards-Helaire went on IR in Week 11, when he suffered a high ankle sprain in a 30-27 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Edwards-Helaire finished the season with 453 all-purpose yards and 6 total TDs.

The team also announced that wide receiver Mecole Hardman would be placed on IR. Hardman suffered a hip injury during the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals. His season ends with 25 catches for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns.


– Reporting by Aidan Richmond

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Staff
News Reporter, Phoenix

Arizona PBS

Aidan Richmond AY-dun RICH-muhnd (he/him/his)
Sports Reporter, Phoenix

Aidan Richmond expects to graduate in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in Japanese. Richmond, who is assigned to Cronkite Sports this semester, interned as a technical director and contributor for Varsity Sports Show.

Spencer Gustafson SPEN-ser GUHS-tuv-sun
Sports Reporter, Phoenix

Spencer Gustafson is in his third semester at the Phoenix Sports bureau. Gustafson, a digital reporter, has interned with the Savannah Bananas and will graduate in spring 2023.

Zach Woodard zak WOOD-durd
Sports Broadcast Reporter, Phoenix

Zach Woodard expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelors degree in sports journalism and a minor in communications.

Grace Edwards Grace Ed-words
Sports Visual Journalist, Phoenix

Grace Edwards expects to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism, a minor in business and a certificate in sales and marketing. Edwards, who has interned as a social media correspondent for the Women’s Premier Soccer League, in her third semester with Cronkite News.

Reece Andrews REES AN-drooz (he/him)
Sports Visual Journalist, Phoenix

Reece Andrews expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Andrews has worked for the State Press and at WCSN. He has also been in Cronkite News Los Angeles.

Drake Presto drake PRESS-toh (he/him)
News Visual Journalist, Phoenix

Drake Presto will graduate in spring 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Presto specializes in documentary journalism and has interned with The Arizona Republic, Arizona Highways Magazine and The State Press.

Noah Furtado NO-uh fur-TAH-doe (he/him/his)
Sports Reporter, Phoenix

Noah Furtado, who has interned at 247Sports affiliate Sun Devil Source for over a year now, is with Cronkite Sports this spring semester, his fourth at ASU. Furtado expects to graduate in May 2025.

Jake Seymour jayk SEE-more
Sports Reporter, Phoenix

Jake Seymour expects to graduate in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Seymour, who is assigned to the Phoenix sports bureau, spent the past year covering Arizona State football and men’s basketball for the Walter Cronkite Sports Network.